Volunteer species identification

[pattyp]

Hi everyone. I have several "volunteer" species growing in my garden (some people would call them weeds, but I'm not ready to denounce these plants yet . I am wondering what these plants are and if they have any beneficial aspects (i.e., edible, good for attracting beneficial insects, etc.). Can anyone help me by identifying these three species?

Species number 1 is growing everywhere, but especially near my strawberries: (You can see one of my strawberry plants in the far right side of this photo.)



Species number 2 can be found amidst my peppers and asparagus. They are the two leafy plants in the center of this photo:



And species number 3 has a low growing, spreading habit and can be found just about everywhere amongst my plants:



Thanks for all of your help. I really appreciate the input that I get from members of this forum.

Patty

[grungy]

Number 3 - wild purslane - eatable but bitter
Number 1 - what type of root system on this "grass"

[mnjrutherford]

I think Number 1 is centipede grass. It's the "standard" grass we have around here. In Number 2, are you talking about the small, flat to the ground, spreading plant with the red and green leaves? If so, I would love to know what that is myself. It's all over around here as well.

[flowerpower]

#2 might be Evening Primrose (Oenothera Biennis)

[pattyp]

Number 1 - what type of root system on this "grass"

Here's a picture of Species 1 with the roots:



If it helps, here's a picture of Species 2 with roots, as well:

In Number 2, are you talking about the small, flat to the ground, spreading plant with the red and green leaves? If so, I would love to know what that is myself.

The small flat to the ground spreading plant is what is supposed to be shown in the third picture, but my photos make it look like purslane. So I took a picture of my unknown species #3 (on the left) with what I thought was purslane (on the right):



Here's a picture of the root system of each (if that would help):



While we're at it, what the heck is this thing in the middle of the photo below?



It's leaves are clearly being munched on and it has two types of bugs on it - small, iridescent black beetles and some type of insect on the bloom shown below:



Thanks again for all of your help! I'm so excited to try to figure out what these plants are.

Patty

[orflo]

I'm not too familiar with the US-weeds, but I'm pretty sure number 2 is an oenothera, as already mentioned, and the 'thing' from the last pictures seems to be the same oenothera, this is a biennial plant, growing to flowers in the second year. I don't know what species it is though

[flowerpower]

Orflo, what's the common oenothera in your area? I only see the yellow flowering growing wild around here. The pink only in cultivated plots. I actually do leave one or 2 each year in my cottage style garden.

[pattyp]

In Number 2, are you talking about the small, flat to the ground, spreading plant with the red and green leaves? If so, I would love to know what that is myself. It's all over around here as well.

Jo - I figured that one out! It is Prostrate spurge aka Euphorbia maculata. There is more information about it at: www.msuturfweeds.net/details/_/prostrate_spurge_38/.

I love how they've listed one of its official aliases as "parking-lot-mulched-tree-island-weed"

Patty

[jason]

I don't know guys number two looks like mullein to me, Vebascum thapsus. Does it have fuzzy leaves?

There are some of the tall yellow flowering evening primrose around here, in the mountains I sometimes see the small ones with big white flowers and these tiny little ones:

[ottawagardener]

I call the grass weed witch grass but I am sure it has lots of common names:

www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/ontweeds/witch_grass.htm